ENAF Brings Science to Kibera: 18th Mobile Lab Handover Targets Period Poverty and STEM Gaps

A mobile science lab arrived in Kibera on the same day 16 girls burned to death in a boarding school. Dr. Jennifer Riria, the CEO of Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF), refused to pretend otherwise. She asked 1,800 students at Kibera Primary School to stand in silence. ENAF's 18th mobile science laboratory, a partnership with the Malaysian High Commission, and a distribution of sanitary pads to fight period poverty.

Who are the key leaders driving ENAF's mobile science lab initiative?

ENAF is led by Dr. Jennifer Riria as President and CEO. Sarah Muhoya serves as the foundation's Chief of Party. Dr. Riria called for the minute of silence and delivered the main speech on period poverty and the Chinese philosophy. Sarah Muhoya spoke as well, addressing the students and reinforcing ENAF's mission. His Excellency Ruziami Mohamad, the Malaysian High Commissioner, spoke as the donor partner.

What is the scale of ENAF's mobile science laboratory program?

ENAF has delivered 18 mobile science laboratories nationally. The first lab donated by the Malaysian High Commission went to Ngala School for the Deaf in Nakuru County, serving over 240 deaf children who cannot hear. The Kibera lab is the second from this partnership. Dr. Jennifer Riria stated that Kibera Primary School has approximately 1,800 students.

How does period poverty interfere with STEM education according to Dr. Jennifer Riria?

Dr. Riria stated that in Kenya, more than half of school-aged girls of puberty age miss school for at least four or five days every month. This happens because they lack sanitary products. Those lost days drag them back academically. She announced that ENAF would distribute sanitary pads, noting that each girl needs at least three packets every month to stay in school. She also acknowledged that boys often ask what is for them, leaving that to the program team.

What role has the Malaysian High Commission played in ENAF's lab program?

The Malaysian High Commissioner, H.E. Ruziami Mohamad, partnered with ENAF as a donor for two mobile laboratories. The first was donated to Ngala School for the Deaf in Nakuru. The second was handed over at Kibera Primary School. He taught the students about Malaysia's location (east of Kenya, nine hours by plane), its palm oil production (number two in the world after Indonesia), and that cooking oil, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and butter come from palm oil. He connected this to the mobile lab, explaining that research requires a laboratory.

What did Sarah Muhoya, ENAF's Chief of Party, say at the event?

Sarah Muhoya speaking to the students, introducing the Malaysian High Commissioner as the connector of the school to Malaysia. She emphasized that true success comes when people work together. She stated that ENAF believes in working with teachers, the board, the PTA, and local implementing partners. She told the students they are the future leaders of the country and that the relationship with the school is not ending today but just starting.

What is the "Chinese philosophy" that Dr. Jennifer Riria used to frame this donation?

Dr. Riria quoted: "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." She told the students that hearing a speech is useless without practice. The mobile lab exists so students can experiment. She warned teachers that the equipment must not sit idle during parents' days. ENAF will follow up to ensure usage. She shared a story about a student who promised to take her to the moon.

What goal did Dr. Jennifer Riria set for the girls of Kibera Primary School?

She stated that 90 percent of the current year nine girls should move into provincial and national schools for year ten. She noted that the first 17 schools in the program saw immediate results because students stopped memorizing and started doing. She also noted that there are 25,000 schools in the country, and 18 labs is a drop in the ocean.

Why do girls fear science subjects according to Dr. Jennifer Riria?

She argued that the fear is manufactured by inequality. Some schools lack resources, equipment, and trained teachers. This is not the fault of teachers but of leaders who have not made schools equal in terms of teachers, equipment, and exposure. She told the girls they cannot be left behind in technology. The future is technology, and the future is girls and women. She announced that ENAF is establishing science clubs, which they call mathematic clubs, to begin innovating now.

What is the final call to action for the students and partners?

The Malaysian High Commissioner closed by extracting a promise: "When you become successful people in the future, give it back to the community." The students responded with a collective promise. ENAF also acknowledged representatives from the Ministry of Education and from Cepu, the manufacturers and producers of the mobile laboratory equipment. The lab will be demonstrated for the students. The sanitary pads will be distributed.